On the first evening of spring, there was still a bit of a brisk feeling in the air outside the Theatre for the Performing Arts. But oh, inside, the New Orleans Opera Association transported its audience to the sultry, sweltering Seville of Bizet's "Carmen." With a show that was as sensuous and full of vitality as it was well-sung, the company returned to the theater with a full production for the first time since April of 2005.

It was an unparalleled success.

In the title role and making her local debut was Rinat Shaham, who created a feral but calculating Carmen. She was saucy and sexy, and could be coyfully playful. But don't get too close - the dangerous firebrand is never far away. Shaham reflected that tension vocally. The mezzo-soprano inhabited the role fully, singing with a rich depth and tone that exuded that sensuality, but wasn't beyond including a growl or purr that indicated her intention of the moment.

As her Don Jose, tenor Fernando de la Mora sang brightly and compassionately. Power and volume grew over the course of the night, and his rendition of the famous "Flower Song" was a ringing success. As an actor, he also reflected the key tension of the opera well in the sweetness he showed in scenes with Micaela, versus the mad passion displayed opposite Carmen.

As Micaela, Jose's purer love interest, soprano Sarah Jane McMahon was simply beautiful. She brought out the character's fresh charm and innocence, but also displayed nice gumption, standing up to Jose in Act III. Her rendition of her famous prayer aria in that act was stunning and among the vocal highlights of the night.

Bass-baritone Mark Schnaible gave the toreador Escamillo a dashing portrayal, dispatching his signature song with aplomb and a booming dose of testosterone.

Other smaller roles were well acted and sung by Chauncey Packer and Kenneth Weber as the smugglers; John Tedeschi as Morales, and Brian Kontes as Zuniga; Anita Johnson as Frasquita and Renee Tatum as Mercedes; and Peter Gabb as Lilas Pastia.

Throughout the performance, director David Morelock filled the stage with life. The driving motivations behind each character's passionate actions were evident. Morelock's attention to the tiniest details added layers to the drama. This was a physically, often violent rendition of "Carmen," in which reality was hyper-realized, allowing those passions to explode before the audience. The choice of cutting the later-added recitatives, and using the original spoken dialogue, sped the action of the opera along nicely.

With this "Carmen," Morelock is retiring as stage director after nearly 40 years with the company. To note his many accomplishments, the City Council presented him with a special proclamation before the curtain rose on Friday's opening night.

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Robert Lyall, general director of the New Orleans Opera, performed Bizet's score throughout the evening with panache. From the rousing overture onward, Lyall brought out all the atmospheric color and vigorous, quick-tempoed verve that drives the entire opera. Sheer delicacy was carefully woven with the famous Intermezzo; the union of music between pit and stage was carefully balanced, achieving peaks of pure elegance in such moments as the famous second-act quintet.

The New Orleans Opera Chorus, directed by Carol Rausch, was simply superb. The Children's Chorus also added to the evening's delight. Throughout the opera, Morelock elicited specific characterizations from each chorister and supernumerary on stage, peopling this Seville with a variety of individuals, not mere clumps of humanity.

"CARMEN"What: The New Orleans Opera Association presents Bizet's tragic love story. The cast includes Rinat Shaham in the title role, Fernando de la Mora as Don Jose, Mark Schnaible as Escamillo, and Sarah Jane McMahon as Micaela. David Morelock directs the cast. Robert Lyall conducts the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.Where: The Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts, Armstrong Park.When: Final performance at 2:30 p.m. Sunday (March 22).Tickets: $30-$125. The performance is sold out but returned tickets may be available at the box office before the performance. For information, call the New Orleans Opera at (504) 529-3000.More info:www.neworleansopera.org